What causes sudden lack of power when stepping on the accelerator while driving?

[MacGenesis]

Sudden lack of power when stepping on the accelerator while driving may be caused by issues in the fuel supply system or ignition system. When encountering this situation, owners need to have the fault inspected at a 4S shop or professional repair shop. The ignition system is crucial for the engine, with its main components being spark plugs and ignition coils. Spark plugs require regular replacement - prolonged use without replacement will cause the electrode gap to widen, affecting spark plug ignition. If spark plugs aren't replaced for extended periods, carbon deposits may form on the electrodes, which also affects ignition. Ignition coils may also malfunction after prolonged use, so owners should regularly check their working condition.

[HaydenDella]

Last month, I went on a road trip and tried to overtake on the highway, but the car felt sluggish when I pressed the accelerator, as if it had lost its soul. It really scared me, so I pulled over immediately. Later, the mechanic found that the fuel filter was clogged—I hadn’t changed it in three years, and impurities had completely blocked the fuel line. The mechanic said this is the most common issue; the fuel pump works overtime but can’t deliver fuel, leaving the engine starved and powerless. Another time, my friend’s car had aging spark plugs that crackled like firecrackers during ignition, causing incomplete combustion in the cylinders and naturally lacking power. If you smell gasoline, be careful—it could mean a fuel line leak, like a marathon runner gasping for air.

[KaiMarie]

My old car had the same issue the other day, revving loudly but not moving when I stepped hard on the gas. I popped the hood and felt the intake hose, only to find a crack in the rubber tube. These vacuum leaks are the worst—extra air sneaks in when the engine breathes, throwing off the computer's fuel calculation and causing stall. Always check if the air filter is clogged with leaves or bugs; it's basically the engine's face mask. If a turbocharged car suddenly loses power, there's an 80% chance the turbo wastegate is stuck, preventing boost pressure buildup. Black smoke from the exhaust? That’s likely leaky injectors wasting fuel. Transmission slippage can also cause this, especially during hard acceleration when RPMs spike but speed doesn’t.

[LaLevi]

Having driven for over 20 years, I've encountered this situation no less than ten times. The most common cause is fuel quality issues - the gum in substandard gasoline from small gas stations can clog the fuel injectors. Try adding two bottles of fuel system cleaner and take a highway run to flush it out. Sometimes sensors malfunction too, like a faulty mass airflow sensor sending wrong data, making the ECU hesitant to inject enough fuel. Cars with severe throttle body carbon buildup also frequently experience this - the throttle plate gets stuck when you press the accelerator. Last time, a mechanic forgot to reconnect the crankshaft position sensor plug, and the car immediately became crippled. Always check the dashboard warning lights - if the yellow light comes on, scan the trouble codes immediately. For older cars, pay special attention to the fuel pump - when it reaches the end of its lifespan, the fuel pressure becomes insufficient.